Sunday, March 16, 2014

What's the first thing you think of when you see a homeless kid on the street?

Where are their parents? Why aren't they in school? Am I about to get robbed?

What so you feel?

Pity? Sadness? Anger? Fear?

Well, guess what? If you thought or felt anything, you are in the minority. Most of us see or think or feel nothing when we walk past a homeless kid, because we don't even see them.

We have taught ourselves to simply keep on walking, riding or driving. We don't see homeless people. They are invisible.

Scholars, politicians and others invariably have strong opinions on the subject, but let me offer my humble opinion: It's risky to care.And because it's risky, because we scare ourselves out of reaching out, we cultivate a tunnel vision that allows go about our business, blind and deaf to the misery around us. And misery it is.

Every Year, More Than 2 Million Kids in America Will Face a Period of Homelessness

Behind the face of every homeless young person is another heartbreaking story – a teenage boy abused by his alcoholic parent, a pregnant girl rejected by her guardian, or a teenager trying to escape gang membership or a life of forced prostitution.

In case after case, the main cause of youth homelessness is physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse from parents or guardians.

The facts about homelessness are staggering ... but acknowledging the depth of the problem is the first step in fixing it.

57% of homeless kids spend at least one day every month without food.

In the United States, as many as 20,000 kids are forced into prostitution by human trafficking networks every year.

According to a study of youth in shelters, nearly 50% reported intense conflict or physical harm by a family member as a major contributing factor to their homelessness.

More than 25% of former foster children become homeless within two to four years of leaving the system.

50% of adolescents aging out of foster care and juvenile justice systems will be homeless within six months because they are unprepared to live independently and have limited education and no social support.

Almost 40% of the homeless in the United States are under 18.

I will be acknowledging the problem by sleeping on the streets of New York City on March 21st. Please acknowledge the problem by joining me. If you can't do it in person, please do it by making a donation to Covenant House.They have been helping homeless kids since 1972.Covenant House Sleepout NYC 3/21/2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

A teenager on the street is the most vulnerable creature alive, fresh meat to every conceivable predator, addiction and abuse. Sometimes they believe they can't go back to their families; sometimes they literally cannot.
When I started working with teenagers in trouble, back in the 1970s, Covenant House was already there, doors open to kids in need.
Later this month some friends and I will be sleeping on the streets of NYC to draw attention to the problem of homelessness among teenagers, and to raise money for Covenant House to continue to do its good work.
The streets may be no country for old men, but they're no place for a kid, either.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed!
For those of you who haven't, well, I'm begging you. Whatever you can give. no contribution is too small. I'm begging so some kid on the street doesn't have to beg, or worse, to get a meal and a warm place to sleep.
Thanks
Ken

Ken Williams

Hello, Friend

I've been an addiction counselor for over thirty years. I'm in long-term recovery from addiction. I am a husband and father; a member of several self help fellowships.

And I have something to say. Actually, quite a lot to say.

About addiction, about treatment, about the drug laws, about Recovery as both a personal journey and a social movement.

And about Interventions. I have been doing them for over twenty-five years, and there are things I see today, that while well-intentioned, range from ineffective to outright irresponsible and dangerous.

So, if you are interested in an ongoing discussion of the topics listed above as well as any other aspect of addiction and recovery, I hope that this will be a place to engage in that discussion.